Please join us for a Nastar Race on Exhibition. Just show your membership card at the top of the Nastar course anytime during the day. The fastest times for each age group will be posted. Win Nastar medals and earn bragging rights for the 2014 winter season! Call 575-377-3055 or 575-377-4260 for more information.

Lt. Governor John Sanchez Addresses About 700 Business and Government Leaders in Albuquerque

Governor Martinez Needed in Roswell to Comfort Community Following Tragic School Shooting

Article as appeared in the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, together with 18 New Mexico Chambers of Commerce, hosted Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez in an address to almost 700 members of the state’s business community last Tuesday. Governor Susana Martinez, originally scheduled to speak, was needed instead in Roswell, NM, to comfort the community following the tragic school shooting which occurred there the morning of the meeting. A packed room of about 700 attended the luncheon last Tuesday…Our biggest showing ever for this annual legislative briefing with the Governor.

The event marked the first time that the Chambers of New Mexico hosted the meeting. The Governor’s initiatives include investments in our state’s education system, health care, and our water infrastructure, all geared to strengthen our potential for future economic development.

Lt. Governor Sanchez, standing in for the Governor, did an excellent job at communicating the Governor’s message. He reminded everyone that the administration and key legislators last year had successfully passed landmark tax reform that dramatically improved New Mexico’s competitiveness with our surrounding states. But, he said, New Mexico still has a tremendous amount to do, including building on last year’s tax package. Sanchez also applauded Governor Martinez for her bipartisan approach to “close the largest structural budget deficit in state history.” He reminded the audience that due to cautious budgeting and spending restraint, New Mexico’s reserve levels stand at just under 10 percent.

Lt. Governor Sanchez also commented on the Governor’s initiative to diversify New Mexico’s economy from the heavy reliance on federal jobs which includes new measures to make New Mexico a leader in innovation- an initiative that aligns closely with the Chamber’s plan of action this year.

Lt. Governor Sanchez told the audience that the Governor is proposing to improve the tax treatment of innovation activities by expanding the use of the Angel Investment Credit, allowing for greater private investment in small New Mexico start-ups, and reforming the Technology Jobs Tax Credit. In addition, he added that the current, relatively unused Research and Development Small Business Tax Credit would be modified to better support New Mexico companies that are creating jobs through their research and development activities.

Lt. Governor Sanchez also reviewed the Governor’s proposal to combine the Technology Jobs Tax Credit with the current Research and Development Small Business Tax Credit. This would combine the credits, increase the percent of new investment for which credit can be claimed, enhance the benefits related to the creation of new technology-related jobs and infrastructure investment in New Mexico, and make the credit refundable in order to assist companies engaging in early R&D activities.

In addition, Lt. Governor Sanchez reviewed the administration’s proposal to allocate $2 million to the Technology Research Collaborative in order to fund enterprising projects with commercial potential that are the result of partnerships between researchers at New Mexico’s laboratories and universities, and the private sector. He reviewed the Higher Education Endowment Fund proposal, which
would invest $7.5 million, intended to help attract more top researchers and professors to state institutions in order to train and recruit students who are able to serve as a stronger high-tech

workforce in New Mexico or become innovators and entrepreneurs themselves. Lastly, on the tax front, Lt. Governor Sanchez reviewed funding for the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) , an initiative to make permanent those funds in the state’s budget.

Lt. Governor Sanchez concluded his address by saying that he looked forward to having the Chamber’s of New Mexico and the business community in Santa Fe this legislative session. Terri Cole, President and CEO for the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and President for the New Mexico Chamber Executives Association, thanked the Lt. Governor for his comments and asked that he let Governor Martinez know how much the business community appreciates her bipartisan approach to solving the state’s problems. She announced that the New Mexico Chamber Executives Association will announce its legislative package, for the first time, soon. She asked the Lt. Governor to let the Governor know that much of the package would align with her initiatives.

The session began Tuesday, January 21st. Stand-by for the Chamber’s updates from the roundhouse throughout the 30 day session.

To get more information on the Governor’s proposals for the FY15 budget, click here.

Candidates have been certified by Terry Cordova, Municipal Clerk for the Village of Angel Fire for the Municipal Election to be held March 4, 2014. The election is for two positions for Councilor for four year terms.

When the Chamber rolled out this new member-helping-member program in November, we wanted to help boost the economy of Angel Fire, one member at a time. After holding the first randomly drawn Cash Mob last Friday, we are happily proclaiming it to have been a huge success!

Anita George, owner of the “mobbed” location, All Things Twisted, smiled when asked just how successful. She said between the hours of 2:00 and 6:00 she made 31 sales! Members who had signed up to be mobbers and came into her store, kept their promise to spend at least $20.00, some spent more! Plus there were many non-members who came simply to participate in the Cash Mob!

Jean Freeman wrote on our Face Book page, “I would’ve never gone into that wonderful shop if you hadn’t done the Cash Mob. I thought that it was only a bead shop, and that is not my thing. I found a lamp that I had to have, and I will be back and bring friends.” We are
thrilled to know, thank-you Jean!

All Things Twisted is a bead shop, but it is stocked full of “previously loved items”, too. Anita has something for everyone. Clothes, furniture, art, and one of a kind finds are in her boutique-antique style shop. Just browsing around is fun!

Store hours are Tuesday thru Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Group beading classes will be starting soon. Learn how to make your own jewelry. The piece you make will be included in the fee.

You will start out with a regular rib plate, which consists of 5 St. Louis cut pork ribs, your choice of 2 sides (barbecue beans, coleslaw or potato salad), a slice of white bread and a serving of barbecue sauce.

After your initial plate you will be served 2 ribs at a time until you call it quits. See ya’ll Saturday night!